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10 Tips for Driving on Icy Roads

Photo Credit: Bigstock

By Colin Ryan

We recently took part in an ice driving event in Colorado, organized by Rocky Mountain Redline, where we drove several kinds of vehicles in the same frigid conditions. The happy upshot is that, with the right basic equipment, each one has the potential to get us home safe and sound.

Now, while our 10 tips for driving on icy roads should be useful, the best advice of all is not to go out unless you really, really have to. Stay at home in the warm and maybe binge-watch "Game of Thrones" or something. But if it’s absolutely necessary to face the elements head-on, here are some things to keep in mind so you can get to where you need to be.

1.) Preparation is vital.

Bring a cellphone charger, a cellphone with numbers programmed in for roadside assistance, a flask of hot beverage (no alcohol, naturally), snacks, blankets, a shovel (there might be some digging out if the snow gets really bad), gloves (not woolen ones that slip when trying to hold the steering wheel), a hat and coat, and boots. The more eventualities you plan for, the better.

What’s the weather forecast between here and your destination? Is your vehicle suitable for the journey? It’s going to be much easier in something like a 2018 Honda Pilot, with its raised driving position, good ground clearance, and reassuring reliability. The Pilot can also seat up to eight, so if it’s a family exodus, a vehicle like this would mean one less layer of stress.

2.) Fit your car with winter tires.

Let’s assume you’re in this icy situation because you live somewhere that receives regular visits from Jack Frost. In which case, a set of specialized winter tires is a no-brainer. These will improve the bad-weather capability of any vehicle, especially when it’s time to brake.

Tire technology has made winter rubber impart a greater feeling of confidence. Even a magnificent beast like the 305-horsepower 2018 Dodge Challenger GT AWD doesn’t feel like a handful. There are winter tires from companies like Michelin, Pirelli, and Bridgestone. Any of the major trusted brands should be fine, though. Don’t confuse them with all-season tires, though. Winter tires are something else again.

3.) Choose a vehicle with all-wheel drive.

It doesn’t have to be a crossover or SUV. There are plenty of regular cars with all-wheel drive. These days, they involve intelligent systems that send power to the wheels with the most traction. Some luxury cars tout their hardware as sporty enhancements, providing optimum grip through corners, but there’s also a safety aspect. Basically, more grip is always good. Be aware, though, that to be optimally effective in these conditions, all-wheel drive needs winter tires.

The 2018 Lexus IS 350 AWD F-Sport is a well-equipped premium compact sedan with 311 hp and a six-speed automatic transmission. This last factor is significant; transmissions with more ratios sometimes “hunt” between gears, while we want smoothness.

4.) Be gentle.

Drive like there’s a glass full of water perched on top of the dashboard. Avoid sudden inputs of throttle, brakes or steering. Drive slowly and leave a huge gap between you and any vehicles in front. When setting off, see if your car has a snow mode for the automatic transmission or a terrain response system (there might be a snowflake icon or something similar). This will stop the engine from applying its power too soon.

You might be forgiven for thinking that an expensive hybrid supercar has no place on the ice, but the 2018 Acura NSX has a remarkably fast-acting and well-programmed all-wheel-drive system. With proper tires and the right driver behavior, it’s easy and reassuring.

5.) Be aggressive.

Yes, we just said be gentle. And that’s the right way. But every rule needs to be broken now and then. If you have to brake hard — and assuming the wheels are wearing winter tires — then do so in a straight line. Most cars have anti-lock brakes that can swiftly modulate the amount of pressure needed.

In fact, many new cars have all sorts of safety systems that will come to a driver’s aid. Just don’t take those systems for granted and let them work with you rather than in spite of you. Even the relatively humble 2018 Honda CR-V compact crossover offers a smart all-wheel drive system that can turn itself on and off automatically.

6.) Sometimes you need to turn off traction control.

If a traction control system senses a wheel spinning and not getting anywhere, it will cut power. In many situations, that’s good. In snow and/or ice, though, it intervenes where power may be needed. There are occasions when we want to keep the power coming because if the car slows down, momentum is lost — while driving up a slippery hill, for example. The trick is to know when to turn it off and do so quickly.

Oh, and when driving down the other side of a tricky slope, use a low gear. The all-wheel drive system in the 2018 Toyota RAV4 Adventure is impressive in its ability to lock torque to a 50:50 split.

7.) Keep your reservoir filled.

That 18-wheeler in front is kicking up a ton of filthy sludge. Not being able to see where you’re going is asking for disaster, so make sure the windshield washer fluid is topped up and has the right amount of additive to stop it from freezing. The wipers need to be in good condition as well.

Also, people who live in the Snow Belt should look at getting a vehicle that offers things like a heated steering wheel and a heated windshield. The 2018 Acura TLX AWD has those features in the optional Advance package. Its intelligent all-wheel drive system is also able to move torque around from end to end and side to side in a smooth, seamless manner.

8.) Don’t use cruise control.

Icy weather is not the time to outsource any of your attention to the driving assistants. You might only have a fraction of a second in which to react if things start to go horribly wrong. Having a vehicle that responds immediately to a driver’s commands is a joy in any weather, including when the last thing you want to do is go out on the road.

All the attributes that make the 362-hp 2018 Mercedes-AMG C43 Coupe a great driver’s car in the summer — such as poise, balance, power delivery, all-wheel drive, and confident-feeling controls — can also contribute to a safe and successful winter journey. This car proved to be one of the stars of our one driving event.

9.) Look and steer where you want to go, not in the unplanned direction you might be heading.

You're skidding — now what? Before such a calamity happens, it’s a good idea to practice and get the muscle memory primed. Go to a big, empty parking lot covered in snow (staying away from light poles) and gently provoke a skid, then steer into it. There's no need for crazy heroics; start off with baby steps and maybe even stay there.

The general rule is to look and steer where you want to go, not in the unplanned direction you might be heading. A little homework means you won’t be so inclined to panic. Great-handling cars make life easier. Like the Mercedes-AMG C43, the 2018 Porsche Macan GTS has superb balance and a wonderfully communicative chassis. It’s a real vehicle for all seasons.

10.) Stay with the vehicle; don’t go wandering off in white-out conditions.

If the weather has really closed in and further progress is impossible, stay with the vehicle — don’t go wandering off in white-out conditions. No doubt you gave your route details to someone who can alert the emergency services if you haven’t shown up in time. If you’re going to run the engine, make periodic checks to ensure the exhaust isn’t clogged up with snow. Carbon monoxide leaking into the cabin is bad.

For visibility’s sake, it helps if your vehicle is a distinctive color. Luckily, the excellent 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio premium compact crossover comes in a rich red. There’s actually a choice: Rosso Alfa or the more crimson-like Rosso Competition Tri-Coat. So as well as exhibiting exotic Italian style, this color choice might also be a life-saver.